A Device For Training And Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the field of sports and sport rehabilitation, in particular to a device for training and rehabilitation, removable manner way with at least one rod shaft, the rod shaft being provided at one of its ends with anchoring member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is the national entry of International Patent Application No. PCT/CZ2016/0500329, filed on Aug. 31, 2016, entitled “A Device For Training And Rehabilitation,” which in turn claimed the benefit of Czech Republic Utility Model No. 2015-31482, filed on Sep. 3, 2015, entitled “Device For Training And Rehabilitation,” both of which are assigned to the inventor and applicant of the present invention and both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention—

The invention relates generally to the field of sports and sport rehabilitation, and more particularly to a device for training and rehabilitation, including a ball, connected in a removable manner with at least one rod shaft.

Balls are employed, apart from their proper use in ball games (either on sport, or recreation basis), also as training tools and rehabilitation tools.

For example, Czech Republic Utility Model No. CZ 21390 U1 discloses a pendulous ball for training volleyball techniques. The ball is positioned on a supporting arm placed on a telescopic rod. The ball is attached to the arm by a magnetic field created between an iron strip glued to the ball by a rubber ring and a neodymium magnet placed on the end of the supporting arm. The supporting arm is formed by a rod provided with a spring to enable the side movement of the rod with the ball.

The disadvantage of this solution is that its use is limited to training in gymnasiums and it may be used only for a particular training of a volleyball stroke (spike). A ball modified in this way cannot be used for regular play due to the imminent injury caused by the iron strip placed in the ball. A ball modified in this way cannot be used for any other sports or for rehabilitation purposes.

The aim of the present invention is to create a universal device which can serve for training of different ball games, as well as a rehabilitation device, whereas the ball can be used also for regular play.

The subject matter discussed in this background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device for training and rehabilitation according to the present invention is advantageous as compared to previously known devices. The device includes a ball, connected in a removable manner with at least one rod shaft, wherein the rod shaft is at one of its ends provided with an anchoring member for anchoring to the ball.

The ball is to be understood as any ball or small ball, of any shape, designed for any sport, optionally a ball without a designation for a particular sport. Balls can be of any material, for example rubber, plastic, gum elastic, leather, created from a composite material, from a rubberized layered material, foam, soft foam, etc.

Balls may be either single-shell balls or double-shell balls. Single-shell balls only have a single shell. In case of double-shell balls, the outer shell is the casing or cover of the ball and the second shell is the bladder of the ball.

The rod shaft may be from a hard material, such as for example hard plastic, wood, metal, or from a flexible material, such as for example rubber, silicon, gum elastic, braided multi-layered rubber, soft foam, foam, or made from composite materials. The rod shaft may either have a fixed length, or an adjustable length, for example in the form of a telescopic rod. The rod shaft may have any cross-section, for example circular, semi-circular, square or hexagonal. The rod shaft may be easily attached to the ball and it can in turn be easily removed from the ball, whereas the ball without the shaft may be used for regular play.

The anchoring member may be made of different materials, usually from flexible materials, such as plastic, gum elastic, silicone or composite materials, wherein such materials are preferably used which will minimise the abrasion at the place of the anchoring slot in the casing of the ball, and will at the same time prevent injury in case of the contact of the person using the device with the ball in the area of the anchoring slot. The anchoring member may be made by many different methods. The important thing is that the anchoring member secures the connection between the ball and the rod shaft so that the ball is not loosened unintentionally during training or rehabilitation.

The anchoring member may be positioned so that it fits closely to the valve of the ball, but it may also be in the opposite position to the valve of the ball, or optionally in any other position to the valve of the ball.

In case of double-shell balls, the anchoring member is usually placed outside of the valve of the ball.

In one embodiment of the invention, an anchoring slot is formed in the casing of the ball (outside of the valve of the ball), where the anchoring member fits. The anchoring slot is made in the outer casing of the ball as a hole in the casing of the ball, so that the bladder of the ball is not affected. The shape and diameter of the slot is so that it enables the fitting and holding of the anchoring member in the casing of the ball and prevents spontaneous release of the anchoring member during training or rehabilitation. From the perspective of using the ball for regular play, it is convenient if the slot is of the smallest possible diameter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member is a slightly convex body of a circular shape which is inserted into the anchoring slot. The anchoring member may be provided, for the purposes of connecting with the rod shaft and fixing the anchoring member in the anchoring slot, with a connecting material, such as a bolt (with any shape of its head) with a coil, either inner coil or outer coil, and may be further provided with layering, an antiskid element, or a groove on its perimeter.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member is an outer convex cover of a circular shape which is put on the outer side of the ball and which is further provided with an insert which fits into the anchoring slot.

The insert can be, for example, in the shape of a cylinder, or in the shape of a truncated cone. The insert can be made of any flexible material, such as gum elastic, silicone etc. It may be in the form of a cast, when the insert is made in one piece, or it can be assembled from several pieces using standard connecting elements. The anchoring member is usually inserted into the ball when the pressure in the ball is deflated, when the ball is softer and the bladder of the ball will accommodate to the shape of the insert. After re-inflating the ball, the insert easily holds inside the anchoring slot. The cover may be provided with other elements for fixing the anchoring member, for example by layering, antiskid bumps, etc. The cover can also be provided with a coil. The insert is connected with the cover by suitable retaining elements, such as bolts, flexible washers, strengthening rings etc.

In another embodiment of the invention, related to single-shell balls, the anchoring member is typically placed so that it is attached to the valve of the ball. The valve and the anchoring member may be connected by regular connecting elements. The valve may be used for re-inflating the ball, for example after unscrewing the anchoring member. The valve and the anchoring member can also be connected in a permanent manner, for example by gluing.

The connection between the rod shaft and the anchoring member may be either firm or in a removable manner. If it is removable, the removal of the connection is usually ensured by a coil, for example using threaded rods with inner or outer coil.

In order to increase safety and decrease the risk of injury, balls may be provided with a safety cord or string which will ensure that in case of an unexpected tearing, damaging or removing of the ball, the ball will keep hanging on the rod shaft.

Preferably, the rod shaft is at its second end provided with a gripping member. The gripping member may be for example a ring (a hard plastic, or flexible gum elastic), grip in the form of the letter T, handle, handgrip, hilt or strap. The gripping member may be attached to the rod shaft by a permanent connection, or may be attachable using suitable retaining elements for attaching the gripping member to the rod shaft (for example by screwing). The gripping member may be made from any material, for example hard, such as plastic, aluminium, titanium, carbon, steel, or flexible, such as silicone, gum elastic or composite materials.

Preferably, the ball is connected in a removable manner with more rod shafts, such as two, four, six or eight. In such cases, each rod shaft is provided on one of its ends with an anchoring member, and for each rod shaft, a corresponding anchoring slot is made in the casing of the ball, while the rod shaft fits into the slot.

Preferably, the rod shaft is provided around its perimeter with a protecting member, the aim of which is to prevent injury of a user in contact with the rod shaft. The protecting member may be in the form of a softened material glued in a permanent manner to the rod shaft. In this case, the gripping member is typically attached to the protecting member. The protecting member may also be in the form of a sleeve from a softened material which is pushed onto or spread onto the rod shaft. In this case, the protecting member is fixed to the rod shaft by a suitable holding element.

Preferably, the rod shaft has an adjustable length. This can be achieved for example by using a telescopic rod, provided for example with holes for adjusting the length.

When connecting the individual pieces, any available connecting and auxiliary material may be used, for example bolts (with circular, semi-circular, or conical head), safety bolts, pegs, pivots, threaded rods with inner and outer coils, casings, washers, springs, flexible washers, nuts, poles, cords, strings, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is depicted in detail by the figures on the drawings.

FIG. 1 represents the device with a solid rod shaft, provided on its loose end with a gripping member in the form of a plastic ring which is attached to the rod shaft;

FIG. 2 represents the device with a flexible rod shaft, provided on its loose end with a gripping member in the form of a ring of gum elastic which is permanently connected to the rod shaft;

FIG. 3 represents the device with a rod shaft with an adjustable length in the form of a telescopic rod provided with holes for adjusting lengths, while the rod shaft is further provided with an attachable protecting sleeve and with a grip with an inner coil and with a safety cover;

FIG. 4 represents the device with a rod shaft with an adjustable length in the form of a telescopic rod provided with holes for adjusting lengths, while the rod shaft is further provided with a fast attached protecting sleeve and with a grip on the side of the protecting sleeve and further with a securing element for the protecting sleeve;

FIG. 5 represents the device with a solid rod shaft, further provided with a fast attached protecting sleeve and with a strap on the side of the protecting sleeve;

FIG. 6 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to one rod shaft, and the position of the anchoring member (in the form of a slightly convex circular body) for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball, including the representation of the connection to the rod shaft;

FIG. 7 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to one rod shaft, and the position of the anchoring member (in the form of a slightly convex circular body) for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball;

FIG. 8 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to two rod shafts, and the positions of the two respective anchoring members (in the form of a slightly convex circular body) for anchoring the shafts in the casing of the ball, including the representation of the connection to the rod shaft;

FIG. 9 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to four rod shafts, and the positions of the four respective anchoring members (in the form of a slightly convex circular body) for anchoring the shafts in the casing of the ball, including the representation of the connection to the rod shaft;

FIGS. 10 to 16 represent several examples of the anchoring member for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball in the form of a slightly convex circular body;

FIG. 17 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to one rod shaft, and the position of the anchoring member (in the form of a convex cover of a circular shape, provided with an insert) for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball;

FIG. 18 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to one rod shaft, and the position of the anchoring member (in the form of a convex cover of a circular shape, provided with an insert) for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball;

FIG. 19 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to two rod shafts, and the positions of the respective anchoring members (in the form of a convex cover of a circular shape, provided with an insert) for anchoring the shafts in the casing of the ball;

FIG. 20 represents a detail of the ball, attached in a removable manner to two rod shafts, and the positions of the respective anchoring members (in the form of a convex cover of a circular shape, provided with an insert) for anchoring the shafts in the casing of the ball;

FIGS. 21 to 26 represent several examples of the anchoring member for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball in the form of a convex cover of a circular shape, provided with an insert;

FIGS. 27 to 30 represent a detail of several examples of mutual connection of the ball, the anchoring member for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball and the rod shaft; and

FIGS. 31 to 36 represent a detail of several examples of mutual connection of the ball, the anchoring member for anchoring the shaft in the casing of the ball and the rod shaft in the case of a single-shell ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is understood that the described examples of embodiment of the invention serve only for illustration purposes and are not intended to limit the invention to these examples. The person skilled in the art will obviously be ready to prepare equivalents to the specific embodiments described in this document using routine experimentation. These equivalents are included within the scope of protection defined by the following claims for protection.

Example 1

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a double-shell ball 2, in the casing 4 of which an anchoring slot 5 is carved, into which is inserted the anchoring member 6 for anchoring in the casing 4 of the ball 2 in the form of a body 11 of a circular shape, which is attached to the end of the rod shaft 3. On its second end, the rod shaft 3 is provided with a gripping member 7 in the form of a plastic ring. This device corresponds to FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 6.

Example 2

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a double-shell ball 2, in the casing 4 of which an anchoring slot 5 is carved, into which is inserted the anchoring member 6 for anchoring in the casing 4 of the ball 2 in the form of a body 11 of a circular shape, which is attached to the end of the rod shaft 3, represented by a telescopic rod. On its second end, the rod shaft 3 is provided with a gripping member 7 in the form of a plastic ring. The rod shaft 3 is further provided on its perimeter with an attachable protecting member 8 from a softened material. This device corresponds to FIG. 3 in combination with FIG. 6.

Example 3

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a double-shell ball 2, in the casing 4 of which two anchoring slots 5 are carved, while into each of them is inserted the anchoring member 6 for anchoring in the casing 4 of the ball 2 in the form of a body 11 of a circular shape, which is attached to the end of the corresponding rod shaft 3. The device is therefore provided with two rod shafts, positioned opposite one another.

Example 4

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a double-shell ball 2, in the casing 4 of which four anchoring slots 5 are carved, while into each of them is inserted the anchoring member 6 for anchoring in the casing 4 of the ball 2 in the form of a body 11 of a circular shape, which is attached to the end of the corresponding rod shaft 3. The device is therefore provided with four rod shafts, positioned on the perimeter of the ball so that they are situated on one circle circling the ball, whereas they are at an angle of 90° from each other.

Example 5

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a ball 2, in the casing 4 of which an anchoring slot 5 is carved, into which is inserted an insert 13 of the convex cover 12 of a circular shape which is attached to the end of the rod shaft 3. On its second end, the rod shaft 3 is provided with a gripping member 7 in the form of a plastic ring. This device corresponds to FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 18.

Example 6

The device 1 for training and rehabilitation is formed by a single-shell ball 2, to the valve 9 of which is bolted the anchoring member 6 in the form of the outer convex cover 12 of a circular shape which is attached to the end of the rod shaft 3. On its second end, the rod shaft 3 is provided with a gripping member 7 in the form of a plastic ring. This device corresponds to FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 31.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The device for training and rehabilitation according to the present invention can be used in different ball sports, namely for training of technique of strokes (for example, volleyball) or kicks (for example, football), and at the same time for rehabilitation exercises, or rehabilitation fitness exercises.

Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 device for training and rehabilitation -   2 ball -   3 rod shaft -   4 casing -   5 anchoring slot -   6 anchoring member -   7 gripping member -   8 protecting member -   9 valve of the ball -   10 bladder of the ball -   11 body of a circular shape -   12 cover -   13 insert 

1. A device for training and rehabilitation comprising: a ball connected in a removable manner with at least one rod shaft; wherein the rod shaft is provided at one of its ends with an anchoring member.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the rod shaft is provided with a gripping member at its second end.
 3. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with two rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring member.
 4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with four rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring member.
 5. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with six rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring member.
 6. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with eight rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with anchoring member.
 7. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the rod shaft is provided around its perimeter with a protecting member.
 8. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the rod shaft has an adjustable length.
 9. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein an anchoring slot is located in the casing of the ball, wherein the anchoring member fits.
 10. The device as defined in claim 9, wherein the anchoring member is formed by a slightly convex body of a circular shape, which is inserted into the anchoring slot.
 11. The device as defined in claim 9, wherein the anchoring member is formed by a convex cover of a circular shape, which is located on the outer side of the ball, and which is provided with an insert which fits into the anchoring slot.
 12. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein anchoring member is attached to a valve of the ball.
 13. A device for training and rehabilitation comprising: a ball connected in a removable manner with at least one rod shaft; wherein the rod shaft is provided at one of its ends with an anchoring means.
 14. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the rod shaft is provided with a gripping means at its second end.
 15. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with two rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring means.
 16. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with four rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring means.
 17. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with six rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with an anchoring means.
 18. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the ball is connected in a removable manner with eight rod shafts, each of them being provided at one of its ends with anchoring means.
 19. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the rod shaft is provided around its perimeter with a protecting means.
 20. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein an anchoring slot is located in the casing of the ball, wherein the anchoring means fits. 